Impressive winner of the Japanese Derby (2017) Rey de Oro stands tall to battle with Godolphin’s formidable Gr. 1 winner Cloth of Stars in the US$6 million Dubai Sheema Classic. The son ofKing Kamehameha was bred by the largest racing operation in Japan and one of the largest in the world Northern Farm, which is owned by the Yoshidas, who consider their horses a legacy. Northern Farm was launched in 1993 after Katsumi Yoshida's father Zenya Yoshida, a legendary horseman and pioneer in the globalisation of racing and breeding, died. Today Northern Farm’s is increasingly managed by Yoshida's son Shunsuke Yoshida.
Shunsuke said “Ever since the beginning, the aim has always been to breed good, strong racehorses. My father dreams of winning the top races all over the world.”
Rey de Orohas had pre-training at Northern FarmKuko which is managed by Shunsuke Yoshida. Northern FarmKuko manager, KiyofumiSugaya (D.V.M.) joins Secretariat’s World in a candid and exclusive interview:
Q: What are your plans for Rey De Oro post the Dubai World Cup in 2018?
A: He will run the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Q: How is doing currently? Do you foresee any challenges with any of the other horses nominated for the Sheema Classic?
A: Rey De Oro has left for Dubai on 20March for his Sheema Classic run along with Northern Farm bred and Gr.1 TakarazukaKinenSatono Crown.
Q: And his stable mate Neorealism is expected to race in the Gr.1 Dubai Turf? What are your plans for him also post the Dubai World Cup? Again, do you foresee any challenges with some of the other horses expected to race in the Dubai Turf?
A: Yes, Neorealism is expected to race in the Dubai Turf. He is owned by our syndicate U. Carrot Farm along with Rey De Oro. They are responsible for the race plan.
There are many rival, all we can do is to make horses well-prepared and to let them “best foot forward”.
Q: Can you please tell us about some of your other top horses?
A: Well, our key horses(bred/ pre-training) are Gr.1 Dubai Turf participantsReal Steel (by Deep Impact), Neorealism (by Neo Universe), Vivlos (by Deep Impact), Deirdre (by Harbinger) and Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic participants Satono Crown (by Marju) and Rey De Oro (by King Kamehameha)
Q: What about Epchicaris, what are your plans for him in 2018?
A: Epchicariswill run Gr.3 March Stakes at Nakayama (JPN) on 25March. Depending on his run, we will look ahead his next race.
Q: Please tell us more about your breeding operation currently and how you plan to grow it in the next 20-30 years?
A: Since 2011, we have been the top breeding farm in Japan. However we just want to win against our past self. Every year we try to defeat our records step by step and we will continue it. Also, we will keep trying to win the top races all over the world.
Q: Northern Farm bred horses are going across the world, could you elaborate on the innovation and technology which Northern Farm is engaged in?
A: We believe the most important thing is the combined effects of three factors; Facilities, Stallions& Broodmares and Human resources development.
Q: What makes Rey De Oro is a special horse for Northern Farm?
A: Rey De Oro is an extra special for us since he is homebred horse. His great grandmother is Wind in Her Hair who is dam tochampion Japanese sire Deep Impact whosired Saxon Warrior. He is in great demand worldwide, with several high-profile breeders, including Coolmore, the Wertheimer Brothers and the Niarchos Family, sending mares to him from Europe every year.
And sire of Rey De Oro is King Kamehameha who is another homebred Japanese Derby winner and twice champion sire for the Yoshidas.
Q: Racing is a leisure pursuit for most. With so much on the go at the farm, what aspect of the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry do you enjoy the most?
A: I like seeing the process of the horse’s growth and comparing it to what I imagined. I can usually tell how the horse will turn-out.
Our pre-training facilities are located in Hokkaido (Japan). During winter, oftenthe temperature falls to almost minus 20 degrees Celsius. It is really hard for horses as well as human beings to continue training in these conditions, but we never give up. After the hard training, horses are able to grow well. I am very excited to see it. It is my joy.
Q: What are your thoughts about the Dubai World Cup night? How would you like to see it grow over the next ten years?
A:I find the Dubai World Cup meeting wonderful and hope it continues to grow bigger and stronger with each passing year.
Q: Please tell us a little about your philosophy at Northern Farms about bloodlines? Who are your top broodmares?
A: European blood has been very important to our success. To improve our broodmare band and essentially bring in outcrosses for Sunday Silence lines. Northern Farm also has spent a significantly for top pedigree and racemares from the United States, South America and Australia.
Wind In Her Hair, Donna Blini, Air Groove as well asVega.
Q: How big is the Northern Farm Kuko operation? Please tell us about the farm.
A: We have five hundred boxes for (pre-)Training where we stable usually 350 horses per generation. The entire farm is situated on a 400 ha site with top facilities including a 900m uphill course with roof, 1200m straight course as well as 1000m, 500m and 400meter tracks.
Q: What is the ultimate goal of the Northern Farm group that will fulfilyour aspirations as ownersand breeders?
A: Winning the top races in the world like Dubai Sheema Classic, Dubai Turf, The Arc, The Breeder’s Cup etc
Q: What has been your greatest moment / sense of achievement as an owner and breeder?
A: Winning! To see horse’s success.
Q: Could you please tell us more about Rey De Oro’s personality?
A: He is not only good-looking but is very straightforward and has a good personality and is. He is mentally very strong. Rey De Oro can change his focus in a positive way when he is in training or not in it.
And lastly, with racing a pretty all-consuming pastime, what are your interests outside of racing?
Good drink!